2012 SEC Conference Tournament Schedule Men’s Basketball

After capturing its third undefeated SEC season in 16 years, the Kentucky Wildcats will enter the conference tournament portion of the postseason as the No.1 team in the nation. UK will enjoy a bye in the first round and will take on the winner between LSU and Arkansas in the quarterfinals. The 2012 SEC Conference Tournament Men’s Basketball tips off March 8th thru the 11^th from New Orleans Arena in the Big Easy.

Of the 12 teams battling it out during this 3-day event, we will have two teams to look out for: the aforementioned top-ranked Wildcats and the 22^nd ranked Florida Gators. Without further ado, here’s how the 2012 SEC Conference Tournament Men’s Basketball seedings look like:

• 1. (30-1) Kentucky – Conf: 16–0
• 2. (18-13) Tennessee – Conf: 10–6
• 3. (21-10) Vanderbilt – Conf: 10–6
• 4. (22-9) Florida – Conf: 10–6
• 5. (20-10) Alabama – Conf: 9–7
• 6. (21-10) Mississippi State – Conf: 8–8
• 7. (18-12) Ole Miss – Conf: 8–8
• 8. (17-13) LSU – Conf: 7–9
• 9. (18-13) Arkansas – Conf: 6–10
• 10. (15-15) Auburn – Conf: 5–11
• 11. (14-16) Georgia – Conf: 5–11
• 12. (10-20) South Carolina – Conf: 2–14

Now that we have all the participants, let’s take a look at how this whole thing will play out! It’s worth noting that Kentucky and Florida could meet as early as the semifinals after the Gators fell to the fourth seed with a 59-74 loss to the Wildcats in the regular season finale.

And although John Calipari knew his team would stay at No.1 even with a loss at The Swamp, that didn’t stop him from sending a message to his opponent and his players. His team responded with a 15-point blowout on the road.

“I told them prior to the game, ‘Look, bottom line is if we lose we’re still a 1 seed. It doesn’t change our seeding. It doesn’t do anything. But it’s about pride,”’ Calipari said. “That was the message prior to the game: just go have pride and play.”

Here’s the official 2012 SEC Conference Tournament Schedule Men’s Basketball:

Thursday, March 8 – First Round:

• 1) LSU vs. Arkansas at Noon on SEC Network
• 2) Alabama vs. South Carolina at 2:30 PM on SEC Network
• 3) Ole Miss vs. Auburn at 6:30 PM on SEC Network
• 4) Mississippi State vs. Georgia at 9:00 PM on SEC Network

Friday, March 9 – Quarterfinals:

• 5) Kentucky vs. Game 1 Winner at Noon on SEC Network
• 6) Florida vs. Game 2 Winner at 2:30 PM on SEC Network
• 7) Tennessee vs. Game 3 Winner at 6:30 PM on SEC Network
• 8 ) Vanderbilt vs. Game 4 Winner at 9:00 PM on SEC Network

Saturday, March 10 – Semifinals:

• 9) Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner at Noon on ABC
• 10) Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner at 2:30 PM on ABC

Sunday, March 11 – Finals:

• 11) Game 9 Winner vs Game 10 Winner at Noon on ABC

It should come to no surprise that Kentucky and Florida are listed as the runaway favorites to win the 2012 SEC Tournament Championship, considering they’re the only nationally-ranked teams. But who could potentially rise to the challenge and stun one, if not both of these teams? By looking at the most recent 2012 SEC Tournament championship betting odds, there’s one team that immediately stands out from the rest: the third seeded Vanderbilt Commodores!

• Kentucky: 1/5
• Vanderbilt: 6/1
• Florida: 7/1
• Tennessee: 15/1
• Mississippi State: 20/1
• Alabama: 20/1
• Field (Any Other Team): 50/1